The declaration states that the battlegroups deployed in the Baltic states and Poland are fully manned and capable of deterring any aggression or responding to it side by side with national forces in case it is necessary.
The declaration was signed by the ministers of Defence of the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, and Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland.
“The concrete decision taken in Warsaw just a year ago is now fully implemented and stands as one of security guarantors for our region. The enhanced Forward Presence Battalion is a clear proof of NATO unity and ability,” Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis said. He underscored that Lithuania should continue the implementation of the Warsaw Summit decisions alongside other NATO allies and to strengthen the defence of the eastern part of the Alliance.
The Ministers also welcomed the activation of the Multinational Division North-East Headquarters in Elbląg (Poland) as a NATO Military Body which would help ensuring command and coordination, which in turn will help the Alliance to be more efficient in providing deterrence and defence on the eastern border of NATO.
The NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion is a direct response to the Russian military aggression and provocations near NATO borders which have led to weakened stability and security, increased unpredictability of security situation, and shifts in the security environment.
The decision to deploy the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion of NATO’s eastern border was taken last July in the NATO Summit in Warsaw. The high-readiness, robust and combat-ready battlegroups today deployed for the purpose of deterrence and defence in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland are led by Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States respectively.
Text of the Declaration in full:
Common Declaration of the Defence Ministers of the Enhanced Forward Presence Host and Framework Nations on the Implementation of Enhanced Forward Presence
1. We, the Defence Ministers of the enhanced Forward Presence host and framework nations, have reviewed our progress in implementing the enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
2. The decision taken by our Heads of State and Government at the Warsaw Summit to enhance NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, including by a forward presence in the eastern part of the Alliance on a voluntary, sustainable, and rotational basis, is a direct response to Russia's aggressive actions, including provocative military activities in the periphery of NATO territory, which have reduced stability and security, increased unpredictability, and changed the security environment.
3. As part of a broader effort to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, the enhanced Forward Presence is a clear and unambiguous demonstration of Allied solidarity, determination, and ability to defend NATO’s population and territory against any aggression. NATO stands as one.
4. Today, we declare that the four highly capable, flexible and interoperable multinational battlegroups are ready and able to deter and, if necessary, immediately respond to any aggression in concert with national forces underpinned by a viable reinforcement strategy.
5. We also welcome the activation of the Multinational Division North-East Headquarters in Elbląg as a NATO Military Body. This marks an important step towards implementing the Warsaw Summit decisions. It will strengthen NATO’s effectiveness in undertaking collective defence tasks on the Eastern Flank.
6. As part of the Alliance posture, these measures are defensive in nature, proportionate, consistent with our international commitments, and demonstrate our respect for the rules-based European security architecture. Our aim is to prevent conflict, protect our Allies, and preserve peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region.
7. As a means to prevent conflict and war, credible deterrence and defence is essential. At the same time, as part of the Alliance's overall approach to providing security for NATO populations and territory, deterrence has to be complemented by meaningful dialogue and engagement with Russia, to seek reciprocal transparency and risk reduction. Those efforts will not come at the expense of ensuring NATO's credible deterrence and defence.
The Defence Ministers of the enhanced Forward Presence host and framework nations
Signed at NATO Headquarters Brussels on 29 June 2017
